Chicken Pox Vaccine

This article was sent to me by BabyCenter:

Children need second dose of chicken pox vaccine

FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDayNews) — Children 4 to 6 years old should be given the varicella zoster (chickenpox) vaccine, in addition to the initial dose they received at age 12 to 18 months, an expert panel advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended.

Up to 20 percent of children who receive a single dose of the vaccine aren't fully protected against chickenpox, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said in recommending the second dose to the full CDC. In a statement, the panel also said a single dose administered at 18 months or younger might not continue to offer protection into adulthood.

Before the varicella vaccine was licensed in 1995, about 4 million U.S. cases of chickenpox were reported each year, leading to 13,500 hospitalizations and 150 deaths. Those numbers have since declined by up to 85 percent, the agency said.

Nonetheless, the CDC said it has been concerned about scattered outbreaks among vaccinated school children. Chickenpox cases in vaccinated children are usually mild, but the children can transmit the virus to others, including adults who are prone to more severe symptoms.

The full CDC typically follows the recommendations of its advisory panels.

-- HealthDayNews

Of course, I couldn't just let that sit, because I know how statistics can sometimes get confused with the truth. Here is an excellent article that should help clear things up for you: http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/child_health/chickenpox_party.html

It sure cleared things up for me! :o)